UNICAL Suspends Admission Officer Over Alleged Irregular Admissions, Moves to Tackle Certificate Fraud

The University of Calabar has suspended an admissions officer over alleged lapses linked to over-admission, as the institution steps up measures to curb certificate racketeering and strengthen academic integrity.

The Vice-Chancellor, Offiong Offiong, disclosed the development on Thursday during a media briefing ahead of the university’s 38th convocation ceremony.

He said the officer is currently facing disciplinary proceedings over alleged negligence that contributed to breaches in the admissions process. The university has also reconstituted its Central Admissions Committee as part of broader reforms aimed at tightening oversight of entry requirements and admission quotas.

Offiong cautioned against external pressure to admit candidates beyond approved capacity, particularly in competitive programmes such as Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, and Nursing, stressing that the institution would not compromise academic standards.

Where there is no space in medicine and surgery, pharmacy or nursing, please do not insist. We will not compromise standards by engaging in over-admission, he stated.

The Vice-Chancellor also raised concern over the increasing activities of syndicates allegedly producing fake certificates in the university’s name, describing the trend as a serious threat to institutional credibility.

The management said ongoing reforms are aimed at sanitising admissions processes and reinforcing quality assurance mechanisms across academic and administrative operations.